JimPYZ
Novice Member
This system is mostly for me at home. I’m currently living in a place with a low ceiling - timbre floors and a timbre celing. The room which the set-up will be in is roughly 6m x 10m, open living / kitchen area. The speakers will be up against the wall.
What’s most important for me is the performance. The thing is I listen to everything - reggae, r’n’b, rock’n’roll, folk, classical, hip hop, dance music (house, techno, electro, jungle, dubstep), all sorts of experimental electronic music; mostly on vinyl (on a Technics 1210), but occasionally through any other format. I like bass heavy music. I listen to a lot of reggae and house music. But I also listen to a lot of classical music and dramatic r’n’b (think Shirley Bassey or Nina Simone) so I guess I’m looking for a dynamic sound. I suppose I want a well rounded system that’s not too specialised, but I know a stereo that can do it all does not exist.
Regarding volume, I like to turn it up every now and again, although it doesn’t have to be particularly loud (whatever that means).
The hard part: I don’t have a lot of money. I don’t want to spend much more than £1000 on it, but I’m not looking for new equipment and I’m willing to take my time to search the second hand market (I love relics), build slowly, and save up if I should spend more money on something worthwhile. I also don’t mind buying something that needs a little refurbishment.
Does anyone have any thoughts? I have a few questions.
I’m not sure where or how to start. Should I buy a separate pre-amp and a power amp or an integrated amplifier? This is mostly for my vinyl, but I like to listen to the radio, so should I get a receiver? I’m looking for optimal performance, so maybe I should forget the receiver, and buy a great radio when I’m ready, or maybe I’m as well off to get a receiver. I’ve seen plenty of well rated receivers - mostly from the 70s - that are well within my price range. This brings me to my next question: I’m definitely going to buy second hand (on principle as well as for financial opportunity), but should I go for older stufff or newer stuff. The impression I’ve always gotten is that the older gear is better built and lasts longer, granted everything needs maintenance. Also, should I get a balanced set of speakers, and supplement them with a subwoofer?
Thanks a lot for reading! If any of you have anything to say, I really appreciate the input.
What’s most important for me is the performance. The thing is I listen to everything - reggae, r’n’b, rock’n’roll, folk, classical, hip hop, dance music (house, techno, electro, jungle, dubstep), all sorts of experimental electronic music; mostly on vinyl (on a Technics 1210), but occasionally through any other format. I like bass heavy music. I listen to a lot of reggae and house music. But I also listen to a lot of classical music and dramatic r’n’b (think Shirley Bassey or Nina Simone) so I guess I’m looking for a dynamic sound. I suppose I want a well rounded system that’s not too specialised, but I know a stereo that can do it all does not exist.
Regarding volume, I like to turn it up every now and again, although it doesn’t have to be particularly loud (whatever that means).
The hard part: I don’t have a lot of money. I don’t want to spend much more than £1000 on it, but I’m not looking for new equipment and I’m willing to take my time to search the second hand market (I love relics), build slowly, and save up if I should spend more money on something worthwhile. I also don’t mind buying something that needs a little refurbishment.
Does anyone have any thoughts? I have a few questions.
I’m not sure where or how to start. Should I buy a separate pre-amp and a power amp or an integrated amplifier? This is mostly for my vinyl, but I like to listen to the radio, so should I get a receiver? I’m looking for optimal performance, so maybe I should forget the receiver, and buy a great radio when I’m ready, or maybe I’m as well off to get a receiver. I’ve seen plenty of well rated receivers - mostly from the 70s - that are well within my price range. This brings me to my next question: I’m definitely going to buy second hand (on principle as well as for financial opportunity), but should I go for older stufff or newer stuff. The impression I’ve always gotten is that the older gear is better built and lasts longer, granted everything needs maintenance. Also, should I get a balanced set of speakers, and supplement them with a subwoofer?
Thanks a lot for reading! If any of you have anything to say, I really appreciate the input.